The prophets of doom and gloom seem to be everywhere. Their forecasts appear daily, warning us of impending disaster. Our social, moral, and economic fabric is threadbare, they say, and on the verge of unraveling into chaos.

Perhaps they are right. The Scriptures certainly warn us of trouble and woe. Yet while the Christian is a realist, he is never a pessimist.

Jesus told us to expect many problems, but to remain hopeful and cheerful in our personal encounters with the worlds problems (John 16:33). With a New Year beginning, God wants us to live with confident assurance that He is in control and ready to help us at every surprising turn.

Martin Luther said, "Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree." St. Augustine was supposedly asked one morning what he would do if Christ returned that evening. Working in the garden, he paused and replied, "I would finish hoeing my garden."

That kind of thinking is biblical and practical. Let us consider a few suggestions that can help keep us on a productive course for 2008 and avoid the pitfalls of pessimism.

Make every moment count. The apostle Paul said Christians should be "making the most of (their) time" (Ephesians 5:16). Concentrate on the tasks and challenges at hand, realizing that todays diligence pours solid footings for tomorrow. "Do the right thing right now" should be the motto for each day.

See God at work through your problems. Your sovereign God is never still, never thwarted by circumstances that perplex or unnerve you. He is always at work, carrying out an eternal agenda that honors Him and uplifts you. Remember Joseph? He refused to allow thirteen years of forced slavery and imprisonment to break his faith. At age thirty, he became the second most powerful man in the worlds first superpower, Egypt. ( Next Page Please)

Do good. That is an oft-repeated scriptural injunction. Engage in creative good deeds that benefit others. It is a good antidote against too much introspection and keeps your focus outward to others and upwards to God. Let God lead you so you "do not grow weary of doing good" (2 Thessalonians 3:13). God has good works lined up especially for you. (Ephesians 2:10)

Replace worry with prayer. Panic and fear over the future are pointless. Ask yourself this question: "What does my worry accomplish?" The answer is obvious. Now ask yourself : "What happens if I pray instead of fretting?" When you pray, you put your obstacles and opportunities in the hands of a problem-solving God. Worry about nothing. Pray about everything. (Philippians 4:6-7)

Plan prayerfully. Dream, aspire, set goals, but do so in the context of prayerful dependence on God. Some objectives you will reach; others you wont. Thats okay, because you have entrusted your plans to God who determines the eventual outcome. You can trust Him with your successes and failures. (James 4:13-15)

Tune out the voices of fear and fatalism. Listen to God for His direction and wisdom in 2008. He has "plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope" (Jeremiah 29:11).

I KNOW WHO I AM

 I am God's child (John 1:12)
 I am Christ's friend (John 15:15)
 I am united with the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17)
 I am bought with a price (1 Cor. 6:19-20)
 I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)
 I am the salt & light of the earth (Matt.5:13-14)
 I am a member of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27)
 I am free forever from condemnation (Rom.8: 1-2)
 I am a citizen of Heaven (Phil 3:20)
 I am significant (Phil.3:20)
 I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31 -34)
 I am a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Cor.5:17-21)
 I have access to God through the Holy Spirit! (Eph. 2:18)
 I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)
 I cannot be separated from the love of God( Rom.8:35-39)
 I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor.1:21-22)
 I am assured all things work together for good (Rom.8:28)
 I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit(John15:16)
 I may approach God with freedom and confidence(Eph. 3:12)
 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me
   (Phil. 4:13)
 I am a branch of the true vine(John 15: 1-5)
 I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3: 16 ).
 I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10)
 I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3).
 I have been justified (Romans 5:1)
 I am God's co-worker (1 Cor.. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1).
 I am God's workmanship (Eph. 2:l)
 I am confident that the good works God has begun in me           
   will be perfected. (Phil. 1:5)
 I have been redeemed and forgiven (Col.1:14).
 I have been adopted as God's child (Eph 1:5)
 
I belong to God! Do you know who you are!?

 "The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you;the LORD turn His face toward you and give you peace.." Numbers 6:24-26